Al Sadd Square
Urban Design, Masterplan
A mixed-use landmark development combining built form and open spaces, which respond to the distinctive local character and climate.
Client: Tameer Real Estate
Location: Doha
Size: 11 acres
The Al Sadd Square site boundary covers an area of 11 acres, including the Lulu centre, Kia building and a residential complex. As a gateway site, it occupies a location with exceptional connectivity to the city centre and wider Doha. The proposal aims to maximise the strategic potential of the site and comprises of new retail, commercial, residential and community facilities.
Key project themes include:
Improving connectivity and unlocking strategic potential of the site
Distinctive contemporary identity inspired from Doha
Climate-responsive layout and urban form
Improving connectivity and unlocking strategic potential of site
The masterplan attempts to repair connections in the local grain. The site delivers a new pedestrian priority connection between the planned Metro and the District Centre further south to the site, and an underground link to the Hammad Hospital. The masterplan will exhibit a permeable layout supporting a variety of uses and activities, usable across the day and seasons.
Distinctive contemporary identity inspired by Doha
The site presents an opportunity to further regenerate the ‘Al Rayyan Corridor’ and the Al Sadd District. The proposals draw from the history of the city and the best areas of Doha to create a contemporary local centre that is rooted in the past and responds to the area’s current and future demands. The public spaces are varied in scale and character drawing from the traditional architectural vocabulary of Doha.
Climate responsiveness
Proposed new streets and pathways for movement are oriented N-NW to create breeze corridors which pass through the open spaces that support dwell time. The E-W oriented streets are narrowed by a new retail edge and are pedestrianised. Seasonal shade is provided by full or partial cover of trees and fabric.
A heavily planted linear zone in front of Al Rayyan Road filters dust from the wind and serves as a buffer from noise and traffic.
The vision is informed by consideration of the social and cultural dimensions of the public realm and lifestyle in Doha.
The public open spaces are designed for robust and flexible use throughout the day and changing seasons. This is enabled through design with appropriate orientation that allows for the summer breeze to filter and elements such as trees, building facades and use of fabric, to provide shade and keep the key open spaces cool and habitable, even in peak summer afternoons.
